Gravel To Visit NYU
This story was written by Lisa Euker, Washington Square News
Sen. Mike Gravel, D-Alaska, will speak at New York University on Tuesday in the first event hosted by the College Democrats to feature a 2008 presidential candidate, College Democrats president Chris Cruzcosa said.
Gravel supports pro-choice rights, decriminalizing minor drug offenses, same-sex marriage, fighting climate change and a complete withdrawal of American soldiers from Iraq within 120 days of his taking office.
Though Gravel's chances in the final presidential race are slim since polls show he has much less support than some other candidates, presidential hopefuls like Gravel are important because they address topics students want to hear about that no other candidate is willing to mention, Cruzcosa said.
"Sometimes it is just nice to be able to listen to a politician who can be free and honest about what he believes and can say all the things that we also believe," Cruzcosa said. "Even if we have to do it quietly."
After Gravel graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from Columbia University, he moved to Alaska where he served in the state House of Representatives from 1963 to 1966. He then served two terms in the United States Senate from 1969 to 1981.
Cruzcosa said students care about the developing presidential race and are following it closely.
"We are a very active and politically conscious student body that is desperate to get involved," he said.
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